Protective Eyewear for Summer Activities

We all know the importance of protecting our eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays, especially in the summer with so much time spent outside under the sun. But to give your eyes proper protection all summer long, sunglasses are just the beginning. Protective Eyewear If your summer yard work goes beyond basic trimming and gardening, take a cue from professional landscapers and don a pair of protective eyewear. We see many eye injuries caused by weed eaters and similar types of products. Because of the speed and unpredictable trajectory of clippings and debris, it’s a good idea to wear protective eyewear as a precaution. That same trajectory risk exists when dealing with fireworks—the cause of thousands of eye-related injuries each year. Wear protective eyewear, keep children at a safe distance, or better yet, skip the personal fireworks and enjoy a professional display from afar. Polycarbonate or Trivex With more time for play and extracurricular activities, lots of kids are swimming, playing in summer sports leagues, or simply exploring in their backyard. With that extra free time, kids tend to get into all kinds of activities. Proper supervision and prevention is really key. The best piece of equipment in any of these scenarios is a well-fitting pair of polycarbonate or trivex lenses. Because polycarbonate is impact-resistant, it’s ideal for sports and other high-impact activities. That break-resilient material acts as a shield, protecting eyes from foreign objects and possible puncture wounds. Trivex is a newer lens material and is typically priced slightly higher than polycarbonate but the optics are significantly better for most prescriptions. Eye Irritants Whether hitting the beach, taking a dip in the pool, or roasting marshmallows over the campfire, some of the most fun summer activities are accompanied by unpleasant eye irritations. Swimmers who wear contact lenses are at the highest risk, because those lenses act like a sponge. Chlorine and microorganisms in pool water can actually be absorbed by the contact lens, irritating the cornea and even causing painful mini-abrasions or infections. The best line of defense is to remove your contacts before getting in the water. If you’re at home under the waves, be sure to wear well-fitting goggles to prevent any leaks from getting in and irritating your eyes. While smoke won’t do too much damage to healthy individuals, it does contain small micro particles of burned organic matter, which can cause temporary burning and irritation. If you are going to be in that environment, it may be a good idea to bring artificial tears or have eye wash on hand at the very least. Avoid the smoke and sand and flush your eyes as needed. Buyer Beware Since so many of these summer activities take place outdoors, don’t skimp on sun protection. Not all sunglasses are created equal! Make sure the sunglasses you’re shopping for have lenses that offer full UV protection—not just a tint. Tinted lenses will cause the pupil to dilate and actually allow more harmful light into the eyes than if no glasses are worn at all. The FDA requires sunglasses to be properly labeled with SPF information. So check the label and choose a pair with 100 percent UVA/UVB protection. Also look for optical-quality frames. Cheap lenses you find at swap meets or discount stores are sometimes distorted, and can cause headaches or eye strain. Check with your eye care professional for where to obtain the best possible summer eyewear protection. Susan E. Halstead, ABOC, FNAO is a NYS and Nationally Licensed Optician and owner of Family Vision Care Center on Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Susan can be reached for comments or questions via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling (518)584-6111.